Archives for December 2018

The Japanese art of Noh is the oldest surviving theater tradition in practice. Dating back to the 14th century, the classical musical drama is derived from the Sino-Japanese word for “skill” or “talent.” When combined with the theater art of kyogen, Noh is known as nogaku. It was named an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

In Noh theater, there is little plot. Many performances are allegorical and metaphorical; historically, spectators were educated, thus they were familiar with the stories being represented and were able to appreciate the subtle references within the words and movements. Noh actors wear intricately carved masks to which they have a deep spiritual connection; some are handed down generations and believed to contain energies from past performers. Many masks are deliberately asymmetrical so that they evoke different emotions when viewed from the right side, left side, top, and bottom.

Are you concerned about your online security? With more data breaches occurring daily, it’s crucial to protect yourself with these simple tips.

This infographic is a comprehensive look at how you can reduce your online visibility to protect your privacy, but still be seen by your family and friends. From browsing the internet to safety on social media platforms, you don’t need to be a technical genius to lessen your online risk.

See 10 scenes with festive trees and lights that might spark ideas for your own holiday decor

If the Christmas songs playing at the grocery store or your neighbor’s impressive light display have you ready to get out the garlands, you’re in good company. And as you prepare to deck the halls this holiday season, we’ve collected a few favorite photos and design ideas from Christmas stories past to spark your decorative spirit.

Priorities are style, lighting, resale value and ease of cleaning, according to the U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study

Master bathrooms are among the more popular spaces to remodel in a home. But why do homeowners tackle these spaces in the first place, and what do they want from their new master bathrooms?

The most common reason homeowners are renovating their master bathrooms is that they just can’t stand the old ones anymore, the 2018 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Studyfinds. And in the new master bathroom, homeowners who are remodeling tend to want style, good lighting, resale value and ease of cleaning. Read on for more insights into the motivations, design priorities and spending levels of homeowners who are renovating master bathrooms now.

A winning combination of metallic finishes can enhance kitchen styles from historical to contemporary

For those who love a matching look, the thought of mixing metals can be intimidating. But mixing metals is a wonderful way to layer in texture, help create a historical or collected look and make a room more interesting. Here are five reasons to consider mixing metals when choosing finishes for your kitchen.

If you live in a 362-square-foot cottage with your husband, toddler and two beagles, do you have to gather with the clan around someone else’s table every Thanksgiving and instantly regift everything you get for Christmas? As a mother of three grown children who is thinking about drastically downsizing with the hubby from a suburban house 10 times that size (and crammed with 20 years of memories) to a small city condo, I wanted to know.

So I asked small-space lifestyle blogger and consultant Whitney Leigh Morris — who lives and works in the aforementioned cottage, aka The Tiny Canal Cottage in the Venice area of Los Angeles — how she navigates the holidays with husband Adam Winkleman and their son, West. Her first book, Small Space Style, comes out Nov. 13.